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Renewable energy rally to be held at state Capitol

BISMARCK -- The Lakota People’s Law Project and the Dem-NPL Renewable Energy Caucus will host a renewable energy rally at the state Capitol building in Bismarck from 1:30 to 6:15 p.m Sunday to talk about sustainability, food security, sovereignty and economic prosperity.

“I’m excited to talk about the work we’ve done to assess the energy efficiency and solar power potential of our casinos, our tribal headquarters and other buildings in our community,” said former Standing Rock tribal council member and Lakota People’s Law Project organizer Phyllis Young.

The rally will feature food and displays of electric vehicles. Local artist Helms Deep will perform at 4:30 p.m. Speakers will take the stage at 5:30 p.m., including Young, former Democratic congressional candidate and Lakota People’s Law Project attorney Chase Iron Eyes, North Dakota Public Service Commission candidates Jean Brandt and Casey Buchmann and Dem-NPL Renewable Caucus Chair Brad Magnuson.

“North Dakota still gets 70 percent of its power from coal in spite of our great potential for wind and solar," Young said. "And it’s not acceptable that our power costs on Standing Rock are 33 percent higher than in Bismarck. Also, there should be a law preventing our local utility from shutting off power due to nonpayment during winter months, as there is in most other cold weather states. Our tribal members frequently lose access to electricity in the dead of winter.”